Jeff Keller
Jeff Keller is an American musical theatre actor. He is best known for being in the original Broadway cast of The [Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera] and later taking over the roles of Monsieur André and Firmin, as well as the title role.
Some of his other Broadway credits include roles in Dance a Little Closer, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as several others.
Career
Keller made his Broadway debut in the cast of Candide in 1974. In 1976, Keller played the role of Perchik in the touring cast of Fiddler on the Roof. Later that year, he played the role in the Broadway revival. He was a replacement actor in the 1978 production of On the Twentieth Century. He originated roles in The 1940's Radio Hour, The Roast, and Dance a Little Closer. In 1984, Keller joined the original Broadway cast of Sunday in the Park with George understudying the title role. He would later take over several supporting roles while still understudying the title role. He played the roles of Billy and Louis ten years later in the Broadway Anniversary Concert.In 1986, Keller started a 19-year stint in the Broadway company of The Phantom of the Opera. In the original cast, he was an ensemble member and understudied the Phantom. In 1989, he took over the role of Monsieur André when Cris Groenendaal was promoted to Phantom. In November 1990, he stepped into the title role for a month in between the stints of Steve Barton and Kevin Gray. In 1994, Keller again substituted in the title role for 3 months in between Marcus Lovett and Davis Gaines. He also played the role of Jacob Marley in the annual production of A Christmas Carol at The Theater at [Madison Square Garden]. In 2001, Keller switched roles with George Lee Andrews, "to keep things fresh", portraying Monsieur Firmin in Phantom.